How To Clean Floor-Cloths

Sweep, then wipe them with a flannel; and when all dust and spots are removed, rub with a waxed flannel, and then with a clean one; use but little wax, and rub only enough to give a little smoothness. Washing now and then with milk after the above sweeping, and dry rubbing makes them look fresh. An oilcloth should never be scrubbed with a brush; but, after being first swept, it should be cleaned by washing with a large soft cloth and lukewarm water. On no account use soap, or take water that is hot; as either of them will bring off the paint.

How To Clean Alabaster

Alabaster is a species of soft marble used for ornamental purposes, which derives its name from Alabastron, a town of Egypt, where a manufactory formerly existed of works of art in domestic vessels, executed from the stone found in the neighboring mountains. As this composition is of a delicate nature, easily scratched, and soon stained by the smoke or atmosphere, all objects should be preserved from these external influences by being kept under glass shades. Should they however become stained, the following is the.best method. Remove the stains by brushing with soap and water, then whitewash the stained part, and let it remain for some hours; after which remove the whitewash, rub the stained part with a soft cloth, and the stains will have disappeared. Grease spots may be removed by rubbing the blemishes with powdered French chalk, or a little oil of turpentine.

How To Clean Iron From Rust

Pound some glass to fine powder; and, having nailed some linen or woolen cloth upon a board, lay upon it a strong coat of gum-water, and sift thereon some of your powdered glass, and let it dry. Repeat this operation three times, and when the last covering of powdered glass is dry, you may easily rub off the rust from iron utensils with the cloth thus prepared.

How To Clean Hair Brushes

Put a few drops of hartshorn in a quart of water. Shake the brushes in it, rinse them in some clean water, and stand them on their ends to dry. A little borax in water will clean them very nicely.

How To Cleanse Mattresses

Hair mattresses that have become hard and dirty, can be made nearly as good as new, by ripping them, washing the ticking, and picking the hair free from bunches, and keeping it in a dry, airy place, several days, dry the ticking well, fill it lightly with the hair and tack it together.

How To Cleanse The Inside Of Jars

Fill them with hot water, and stir in a spoonful or more of pearlash. Empty them in an hour, and if not perfectly clean, fill again and let them stand a few hours. For large vessels ley may be used.

How To Clean Lamp Shades

Lamp shades of ground glass should be cleaned with soap or pearlash; these will not injure or discolor them.

How To Clean Marble

Marble is best cleaned with a little clean soap and water, to which some ox-gall may be added. Acids should be avoided. Marble door steps should be cleaned with sand and clean water. No soap should be used.

How To Whiten Piano Keys

Rub them carefully with a piece of fine sandpaper.